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Tue 8 Aug 2017 10:50AM

Policy 5: Scope of Co-Lab activity

AG Andy Goldring Public Seen by 333

Background: This policy sets out the scope of the CoLab - it is needed to ensure that the wider permaculture network understand that they can opt-in at any point, that the focus is on achieving the shared vision mission and aims, and that the CoLab will not be telling other people what to do - we respect every permaculture network's right to self-determination.

Policy 5: Scope of Co-Lab activity

Context

The permaculture network is vast. It operates in over 130 countries*, in many different languages and at multiple scales from household to continental. Permaculture practitioners and organisations work in a broad range of areas such as education, research, practice, policy and with diverse participants, from landless peasants to corporate clients.

  • Based on Next Big Step and 12th International Permaculture Conference Survey 2015

Policy

The Co-Lab is open to the opt- in participation of individuals, teams, groups, enterprises, networks and organisations whose focus is primarily the development of permaculture systems and solutions.

Its geographical scope is global, and its scope of work is defined by the Vision, Mission and Aims.

Participating members agree to work in line with agreed policies and towards our shared vision, mission and aims.

The CoLab only makes decisions for itself. It is not a decision making body for the wider permaculture network.

Date agreed: 16th September 2017.
Review date:

NVD

Naomi van der Velden Wed 30 Aug 2017 9:23AM

This is nice and clear. In the absence of comments over the last 3 weeks, are we ready yo move towards an agreement?

MVD

Martijn van der Kamp Mon 4 Sep 2017 2:29AM

So according to this policy all people, teams etc, can become part of the Co-Lab as long as they work in line with the Co-lab mission and policies. Agreeing to work according to the policies is one thing, actually doing it is a second. Can we assume that everyone who agrees has the skills, experience, and responsibility required to operate within the values, mission, and policies of the Co-Lab? Does the Co-lab have a moral and or legal obligation to check on their 'members', educate them, monitoring them, etc? To what extent does the Co-Lab become responsible for what other people do/say on their platforms? How can we know if and how people are contributing? What happens if a right extremist organization want to become part of the Co-lab, is that okay?

L

Lachlan Mon 4 Sep 2017 9:33AM

Important questions. My own view is that these questions are covered by the other policies and by what will be the guide for CoLab involvement (which is still in development but well underway). The stewardship circle will also play their role in assessing each proposal to gauge the skills, experience and knowledge of the groups/organisations, what up-skilling they might need, and whether they are an appropriate group to join CoLab or not.

AL

Andrew Langford Mon 4 Sep 2017 8:51PM

And, Martijn, your speculation about a right wing group is one reason NOT to sanitize/reduce the mission, vision, aims section (by converting this :- " To work towards eliminating racism, patriarchy, the class system and any other manifestations of the oppressive society (aka the Patrix) that present major blocks to healthy and diverse participation in both the Colab and the wider permaculture network." and the goals around languages stuff into "providing an inclusive platform' - that last is, imho, such a de-natured statement as to be almost meaningless and it does not bake in much of our worldview ...

AG

Andy Goldring Wed 6 Sep 2017 2:01PM

I think that we will need to have a process by which all entrants sign up to work in the spirit of the CoLab Vision, Mission and Aims and to develop skills where needed to participate effectively. @martijnvanderkamp if a right wing group joined and had signed up, then we would need to ensure that there was a simple process for people to flag up concerns.

AG

Poll Created Wed 6 Sep 2017 2:45PM

Policy 5: Scope of the CoLab Closed Sat 16 Sep 2017 2:21PM

Outcome
by Andy Goldring Sat 16 Sep 2017 3:06PM

OK - last one - policy 5 - the scope of the CoLab is now also agreed unanimously. This is a really good step forwards - a lot of thinking has been done over the last three years and we have now put a good deal of it into a formal framework. A huge thanks to all that have helped over the last three years with all the thinking and policy development. Feels like we are now ready substantially ready for the next phase...
With best wishes, Andy

For me (Andy) this is really important because it makes really clear to people that the CoLab is an open collaborative venture and is not trying to 'take over' permaculture.

Results

Results Option % of points Voters
Agree 100.0% 7 AG AL NVD RC IL EY L
Abstain 0.0% 0  
Disagree 0.0% 0  
Block 0.0% 0  
Undecided 0% 7 EW BH DU PG MVD J CA

7 of 14 people have participated (50%)